The Transfer Tavern

Everton shouldn’t make West Ham’s plan to sign Lucas Perez easy

Everton have made just two major signings this summer with deadline day approaching.

Following last season’s dreadful summer business, new boss Marco Silva was forced to be shrewd with his purchases this summer. The Portuguese was desperate to add a new left winger to his squad and opted to spend £50m to reunite with Watford winger – Richarlison. Everton also completed a £18m deal for Barcelona left-back, Lucas Digne, to replace Leighton Baines.

With just three days left in the transfer window, Everton will continue to focus on offloading some of their fringe players to generate some last-minute transfer funds. One man they should consider signing is Arsenal forward – Lucas Perez. The Spaniard was targeted by the Toffees back in 2016, but the Gunners swooped in late to secure his services.

Valued at £6.75m by Transfermarkt, Perez’s stay in North London has been miserable. He made just two starts in the Premier League during his first season in England and was eventually loaned back to Deportivo. He scored eight goals and registered six assists in La Liga last season.

Arsenal are determined to sell the 29-year-old this summer for just £5m. Perez, who is thought to be of interest to West Ham too, has never been given a chance to show what he is capable of in England and Everton should give him the opportunity to prove his critics wrong. £5m is nothing in the current market and Perez would provide some much-needed competition for Cenk Tosun in the Everton attack.